12 HEALTH MATTERS®

CROTON GORGE PARK The tow-ering Croton Dam offers a breathtak-ing backdrop for this short hike. THE

ROUTE: Across the field from the base of the dam and next to the playground, you’ll find the entrance to a dirt-and-gravel trail that climbs to the top of the 200-foot-high stone structure, where visitors can take in spectacular views of the spillway. DISTANCE: 2.1 miles. DIFFICULTY: Gradual uphill climb. EXTRA CREDIT: Once you’re on top of the dam, walk its entire length to add more than a mile to your total. (It’s closed to vehicles.) On the way down, follow the sign to the scenic River Trail, which hugs the Croton River. 35 Yorktown Rd, Croton-on-Hudson

Cardio HikingCardio Hiking

Five ways to elevate your fitness routine

By Robert Brum

FALL IS AN IDEAL TIME to take your fitness routine to new heights. Literally. If you’re accustomed to walking around the high-school track or on your neighborhood streets, why not elevate your workout — and your heart rate — by adding some hills and more challenging terrain?

Nothing beats the exhilaration of cresting a hill and taking in the view, especially in the fall, when the air turns crisp, the bugs have departed, and the trees are displaying their finery.

As with any change in one’s exercise regimen, start slowly. The idea is to challenge yourself and get those feel-good endorphins pumping but not push yourself until you’re gasping for breath.

Here are five Westchester hikes that reward visitors with stimulating cardio workouts, as well as commanding views:

CROTON GORGE PARK PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK/BYELIKOVA OKSANA

SCAN QR CODES FOR TRAIL MAPS

Croton Gorge Park

13FALL 2021 // WPHOSPITAL.ORG

Teatown Lake Reservation features rugged, sin-gle-file dirt trails marked with tree-mounted colored patches called blazes. THE ROUTE: From the visitor’s center, take the Lakeside Trail, turn right onto the red-blazed Hidden Valley Trail, through a small parking area, then left onto the orange-blazed Three Lakes Loop. Follow the orange blazes as the trail winds uphill, passes Thompson’s apple orchard and descends to the lake. Continue past the dam and bear left onto the blue-blazed Lakeside Loop as it winds around Teatown Lake. You’ll pass several lookouts and traverse wooden bridges until crossing a boardwalk and climbing several sets of stone steps on your way back to the visitor’s center. DISTANCE: 2 miles. DIFFICULTY: Moderate. EXTRA

CREDIT: After the wooden gate near the hike’s conclusion, bear right onto the white-blazed trail to climb the steep stone steps to a scenic overlook. 1600 Spring Valley Rd, Ossining

Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park The trails along this sprawling park are relatively flat; perhaps that’s why walk-ers and joggers favor the vigorous ups and downs on the paved roads that ring the park. At the highest elevation, there are views of Mohansic Lake and Crom Pond. THE

ROUTE: From parking lot No. 1, turn left and follow the road uphill; turn left onto the gravel path; bear left when the roadway resumes and follow it until reaching lot No. 1, on your left. DISTANCE: Approximately 2 miles. DIFFICULTY: Moderate to strenuous. EXTRA CREDIT: Just past a kiosk at the beginning of the gravel path, follow the signs to the green-blazed, half-mile CCC Path or the blue-blazed, 1.2-mile Crom Pond trail.2957 Crompond Rd, Yorktown Heights

Saxon Woods Tucked into the corner of the swimming pool parking lot are two entrances to the White Trail loop, some 50 feet apart. THE ROUTE: Taking the entrance to your left, follow the loop’s intermittently marked white blazes clockwise and continue in a circular direction as the roll-ing, rugged trail meets several junctions with an orange-blazed trail and passes smaller, unmarked paths. The White Trail passes a golf course and bathroom on the left, around the 1.5-mile mark, and hits its steep-est climb around 2.5 miles, then bears left soon afterward en route to the parking area. DISTANCE: 3 miles. DIFFICULTY: Moderate to strenuous, with rocky, uneven terrain.1800 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains

Rockefeller State Park Preserve boasts miles of gravel trails wide enough to accommodate groups and families. Trails are marked with ground- level blue metal signs. THE ROUTE: From the visitor’s center, follow the short connector path, then bear right onto the 0.7-mile Overlook Trail, climbing the hill above Swan Lake. Just after the trail passes the entrance to the Ash Tree Loop, bear right to descend the short connector trail to the Old Sleepy Hollow Road Trail. Turn left and walk downhill, crossing Sleepy Hollow Road and continuing onto the short Stone Bridge Trail, over the Pocantico River. Cross onto the Eagle Hill Trail, ascending for 0.3 miles, then left to ascend the 0.87-mile Eagle

Summit Trail, with impressive views of the Hudson River. The Summit Trail loops around, taking you back to Eagle Hill, where you’ll retrace your steps back across Sleepy Hollow Road. Climb the straight, gradual half-mile uphill on the Old Sleepy Hollow Road Trail back to the parking area. DISTANCE: Approximately 4.5 miles. DIFFICULTY: Strenuous. EXTRA CREDIT: Take a 1-mile loop around Swan Lake on Brother’s Path or add the 0.8-mile Ash Tree Loop. 125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville •

WHAT TO BRING• Wear hiking boots for

unpaved, rugged trails.• Bring a map, either

downloaded from the park’s website or on your phone, via apps like The Hiking Project, Alltrails, or Avenza.

• Bring a friend, for safety and sociability.

• Bring plenty of water and a snack.

• Bring a fully charged phone, equipped with an app to get you back to your vehicle.

PHOTO BY TEATOWN

Teatown LakeReservation